In White Folks With Black Kids’ News: Couple Convicted Of Starving And Freezing Their Adopted Ethiopian Daughter Face Life In Prison

The Sedro-Woolley woman accused in the death her adopted daughter was found guilty Monday afternoon of manslaughter and homicide by abuse.

Carri Williams had long professed her innocence in the case, but a jury disagreed. Her husband Larry Williams was also convicted of manslaughter.

The jury could not reach a verdict in the homicide-by-abuse charge against Larry Williams. The judge declared a mistrial on that count.

Attorney Rachel Forde represented Larry Williams in the trial and said her client will appeal Monday’s verdict.

“Oh, we’re disappointed. It was unjust,” she said. “Actually a tragedy because Mr. Williams did not cause Hana Williams’ death. There was no theory and insufficient evidence of manslaughter in the first degree.”

The couple was accused of causing the death of Hana Williams in the backyard of the family home in May 2011. The girl died of hypothermia and malnutrition. Prosecutors say she was starved, beaten and forced outside as punishment.

Prosecuting Attorney Rich Weyrich spoke about the horrors that Hana Williams lived with after arriving in America from Ethiopia.

“She came to America, you know the American dream and all those sort of things, and you know it was more like ‘Nightmare on Elm Street,'” he said.

Carri Williams denied any wrongdoing in the death and told a 911 operator she thought Hana killed herself.

“She’s been throwing herself all around and then she collapsed,” she said.

Carri Williams was defiant and emotional when she took the stand late last month. She admitted to the jury that Hana had lost weight prior to her death and said she believes the girl “unintentionally killed herself.”

“I never treated my daughter like a dog,” Carri Williams said.

Both Larry and Carri Williams could face life in prison when they’re sentenced. Defense attorneys say both will appeal the verdict.

Forget life behind bars… These people deserve to be treated WORSE than they treated that little girl while they’re on the inside.